Head of operations

Overview

• ID

  315655

• Salary

  £67,958 per annum

• Type

  Permanent - Full Time

• Location

  .

• Hours

  37.5

• Closing Date

  01/07/2026

• Downloadable Files

Lead with Purpose. Drive Excellence. Change Lives.

At Sense, we believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential.

Every day, we support children, young people and adults with complex disabilities, including people who are deafblind, to communicate, connect with the world around them, and live fulfilling lives. As we continue to grow and innovate, we're looking for an exceptional Head of operations to join our leadership team and help shape the future of our services. This role is home based covering a large geographical area within the North region requiring visiting and travelling throughout the area. 

About the Role

This is a rare opportunity to lead a diverse portfolio of services across a defined geographical area, combining strategic leadership, operational excellence, financial accountability and a relentless focus on quality.

You will inspire and support a team of Operations managers to deliver outstanding, person-centred services while ensuring strong financial performance, regulatory compliance and sustainable growth. Working closely with colleagues across the organisation, you will play a key role in driving innovation, improving outcomes and ensuring the people we support remain at the heart of everything we do.

Key responsibilities

• Providing strategic direction and operational leadership across a range of services.
• Ensuring outstanding quality, compliance and safeguarding standards are consistently achieved.
• Leading and developing high-performing, geographically dispersed teams.
• Driving continuous improvement, innovation and service excellence.
• Managing significant budgets and ensuring financial sustainability.
• Building strong relationships with commissioners, regulators, families and wider stakeholders.
• Supporting service growth, occupancy and community engagement.
• Contributing to the wider leadership and strategic direction of Sense.

About You

We're looking for a compassionate and commercially aware leader who combines strategic thinking with a deep commitment to delivering exceptional care and support.

You will be educated to degree level or equivalent in a relevant discipline and bring the following experience:

• Significant senior leadership experience within social care, disability services or a related sector.
• A successful track record of managing large-scale operations and leading organisational change.
• Experience working within regulated environments such as CQC, Ofsted, CIW or RQIA.
• Strong financial acumen, including budget management and performance oversight.
• The ability to inspire, coach and develop leaders and teams.
• Excellent relationship-building, communication and influencing skills.
• A passion for improving the lives of people with complex disabilities and sensory impairments.

About Sense

At Sense, we believe that every disabled person should have the opportunity to connect with others and be included in the world. We use our knowledge and expertise to deliver personalised, creative and flexible support at every stage of life.

We are proud to be a Disability confident leader and a charity where people can grow their skills and careers in a supportive, flexible environment.

Our values

Our values shape the way we behave and work alongside disabled people with complex needs to break down barriers.

• We're creating change
• We're always learning
• We're better together

To apply

Please use the link below to complete your application. Managers will use your application to shortlist candidates for interview; in relation to the Personal Specification. Therefore, it is very important you complete this section thoroughly. We would recommend that you read the job description and person specification before applying.

If you require any further assistance, please contact the Recruitment Team on 0121 415 6735 or recruitment@sense.org.uk.

Sense is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable children and adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. Therefore, all offers of employment, where appropriate, are subject to a DBS check; level dependent on the nature of the role.

If you need us to adjust our recruitment process to help you access our vacancies, then please get in touch with a member of the talent acquisition team. We are a Disability Confident Leader and commit to interviewing disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for a role. More information on this can be found here  Our commitment as an employer | Sense Careers

Closing Date

01/07/2026